We Are All Queen Elizabeth II In This Self-Checkout Lane

The self-checkout lane, in theory, is a beautiful thing. It rarely has a line and allows you to pay for and bag items at your own speed.

But that glory can swiftly dissipate when you encounter even the smallest issue. Can’t find the produce code on your grapes? Accidentally push a wrong button? Or, even worse, forget to remove items from the dreaded bagging area? You’re doomed.

It is that sheer horror and quiet desperation that finally gives us something in common with Queen Elizabeth II. Her facial expression alone while visiting a self-checkout lane at a store on Thursday is familiar to any shopper who has waited... and waited... for a manager to come over and void their self-transaction.

JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images
We feel you, Queen.

The queen was visiting a supermarket in Poundbury, a new town in southwest England built as a model urban expansion, along with the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. The visit wasn’t all bad ― look how at ease she is in the dairy section.